Cornish College has been awarded ‘School of the Year’ as part of the Backpack Bed for Homeless Australia Day 2017 awards. This recognises our community’s efforts in raising money to buy Backpack Beds to provide shelter for people who are homeless.
The College community comes together annually for a Winter Sleep Out, which raises the funds needs to provide relief for people who sleep on the streets. Last year’s event saw 50 students and 11 staff sleep in cardboard boxes overnight, with more keen to take part!
Our Chaplain, Jarrod Davies, coordinates the Winter Sleep Out. He and senior students have also worked with other Melbourne schools to help them understand how they could hold a similar event to raise funds too. Mr Davies also provides education to help students understand the complex issues involved in homelessness and to consider possible solutions.
In giving us the award, Backpack Bed for Homeless said: 
“The Backpack Bed for Homeless Australia Day Hero honour is a yearly announcement reserved only for those who have shown an outstanding passion towards both our cause and to homelessness.
Cornish College has gone beyond helping and you continue to be an inspiration to us all. In addition to being a great example, your actions have contributed to saving homeless lives with dignity.
On behalf of Backpack Bed for Homeless – we wish to thank you for your inspirational contribution.”
Mr Jarrod Davies and Year 12 student Emily accept the award on behalf of the wider Cornish College community.
